Crossing Industry Lines: Idols Aren't Alone

If you’re an idol, it is a well-established fact that you will more than likely do something outside of performing. Idols are inescapable in the Korean entertainment industry. While they do everything from host to model, most try their hand at acting at least once. Even though we often take them to task, we have accepted it, begrudgingly or not, as part of their role as idols.

But idols aren’t the only ones crossing industries. If crossing industries was a race, Goo Hye-sun of Boys over Flowers fame would probably beat out even idols. She started off in the acting world but has since branched out extensively. To date, she has sung, composed music (for Seo In-guk most recently), written a novel, directed films, and started her own company.

Goo Hye-sun isn’t alone either. Many actors dip a toe or ten into singing and modeling. Jang Geun-suk may have made his name through acting, but that hasn’t stopped him from getting a foothold in the music industry. He has released albums in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese, starred in countless dramas and films, modeled and endorsed many brands, and even written a cookbook.

And actors aren’t the only ones trying on different hats. Some of the biggest actors on the scene started off as models. KBS’ hit drama School 2013 received high ratings, and the two lead roles were played by Lee Jong-suk and Kim Woo-bin, both of whom started off as models. The two have received awards for their performances and continue their acting careers. Both have actually signed on to make their individual film debuts later this year.

Even acting veterans So Ji-sub and Song Seung-heon started off as models. They actually modeled for the same jeans brand STORM. Both have also released music. So Ji-sub in particular with his professed love of hip-hop has recorded multiple EPs and collaborated with other musical artists as well. He even released his own book, a photo essay titled The Journey of So Ji-sub.

Since so many celebrities besides idols blur the lines between industries, why don’t we take them to task the way we do idols? Some might say it’s because they are actually good at what they do. Goo Hye-sun has won awards for her directing, and her novel Tango was a bestseller. Lee Jong-suk may have the perfect body to model, but he has proven that he also has the talent to act. While they are arguably skilled in their respective industries, there are others who should maybe stick to their day jobs.

Daniel Henney started out modeling and broke out into the Korean drama scene when he appeared in My Lovely Sam-soon despite not speaking a lick of Korean. He has since gone on to star in other dramas and pick up some Korean along the way. While I unabashedly admit that the man is beyond gorgeous, I don’t like him because of his acting abilities. They are not what I would consider his strong suit.

And what about Kim Ok-bin? The actress had her breakout role in the 2009 film Thirst and has since gone on to star in multiple dramas and movies. With her acting stardom in one hand, she picked up the microphone in 2012 and decided to start a punk rock band OK PUNK! with questionable success. She tried to garner a following by covering 2NE1’s “Ugly,” but where the band’s talent shone, hers left much to be desired.

But it all might simply come down to numbers. Entertainment companies are continuously churning out more and more idols, and while not nearly as many as debut end up successful, they still greatly outnumber the amount of actors, models, entertainers, and other celebrities crossing over into other industries.

Plus, we can’t deny the fact that the entertainment industry runs on K-pop idols like a commodity. It’s much more noticeable to us when an idol like Yubin of Wonder Girls makes her acting debut on a drama than when a former model like Sung Joon acts alongside Lee Seung-gi in a sageuk because of press. Idols’ names call for more media attention, which only makes us pull out our magnifying glasses and study — and, by extension, criticize — their each and every move. Is that fair? It’s hard to say.

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Taemin is my weakness, and I have a love-hate relationship with dramas. In real life, I'm a writer, but I also do a good bit of wedding and portraiture photography with occasional print and logo design. I love a good book, a perfect cup of coffee, a long run and pretty much any kind of food.

I thank you for your article because I have waited for this for so long lol

After all the bad comments towards idols acting, I keep wondering why they aren’t hating on models turned actors as well because like idols, some of them suck pretty hard and some are just that good.
For example, UEE, an idol was praised for her acting abilities whereas Song Seung Hun, an ex-model is bashed because of his lack of acting abilities.
I wish people wouldn’t focus so hard on hating on idols although I understand that seeing how there are too many idols invading entertainment indutry.

mangochic

I don’t know what you are talking about because guys like Daniel Henney, SSH, Kim Tae Hee get bashed for their acting all the time. So why shouldn’t idols get criticized? If they clearly suck in the roles they are given why shouldn’t the audience point it out?

I don’t think she means they shouldn’t get criticized -at least that’s not how I read it-: if they’re
bad, then anyone’s free to point it out. But they shouldn’t get bashed
for being idols, they should just be criticized for being bad at acting.
Often -not always but often- when an idol is being called out for being
a bad actor, people emphasize their idol-status and sometimes even say things along the line “they should stop making idols act”, when really the only
thing that should be judged is the performance of that particular person -at least in my opinion-.

Thank you for understanding me !
I know that netizenbuzz shouldn’t be taken as a relate source to represent the korean opinion but based on the comments, when it comes to idols, even though some are decent and even better than real actors, they are mean like there is no tomorrow. What I want to say is I wish they stop being so judgmental toward them because they are idol.

lernotte

Ideally, yes, but try looking from their point of view. You turn on the radio – there are idols singing. You switch on the TV- there are idols everywhere be it a variety show, a drama, a music stage, a commercial. You go outside – there idols staring at you from billboards, magazine covers and god knows where. You turn the iron on – a Suzy is piercing right through your soul…
I suppose it’s like a knee-jerk reaction at this point. And yeah, the fact that companies are pushing their idols hard thus making an audition a simple formality isn’t helping…Add celebrity soldiers, celebrity students (getting into uni thanks to their status not the abilities AND snatching talented students’ places), aggressive fans, albums buck buying and charts manipulation, obvious lack of talent of certain individuals, the whole puppetry aura and certain way of marketing etc etc – the outcome is not surprising.

That’s why I say “although I understand that seeing how there are too many idols invading entertainment indutry.”.
Yeah, I totally agree with your comment, it is understandable for netizens to be fed up with them but still, like you said, ideally, I wish they wouldn’t blame every single idol when some of them succeed at what they intend. I think the idol craze is dying day by day so maybe, it will be a good change for everyone.

And let’s not forget that actors-actors can be bad too~ really anyone can be a bad actor. Sure, having studied acting gives you an avantage but some idols have talent, some models have talent too and some actors aren’t that good.

mangochic

Most of the people you mentioned get criticized a lot. SSH was nicknamed ‘Hand Towel’ by the Korean media because his acting is dull. JGS singing sucks and his popularity in Korea has gone down because people aren’t interested in him singing or the latter roles he has chosen. So Ji Sub’s music sucks and the casual korean drama watcher isn’t interested in his music. His acting gets bashed too! Lee Jong-suk may have started as a model but he has steadily been building his acting resume since 2010. He started with small roles and is gradually getting bigger roles now. Kim Woo-bin has also done the same since 2011. Most idols get criticized because they end up getting large roles and their acting skills leaves a lot to be desired. I have also seen GHS get criticized for her ‘fidgety’ acting. Some even think instead of doing everything she does, she would be better off concentrating on a few things and getting better at those things.

mangochic

Most of the people you mentioned get criticized a lot. SSH was nicknamed ‘Hand Towel’ by the Korean media because his acting is dull. JGS singing sucks and his popularity in Korea has gone down because people aren’t interested in him singing or the latter roles he has chosen. So Ji Sub’s music sucks and the casual korean drama watcher isn’t interested in his music. His acting gets bashed too! Lee Jong-suk may have started as a model but he has steadily been building his acting resume since 2010. He started with small roles and is gradually getting bigger roles now. Kim Woo-bin has also done the same since 2011. Most idols get criticized because they end up getting large roles and their acting skills leaves a lot to be desired. I have also seen GHS get criticized for her ‘fidgety’ acting. Some even think instead of doing everything she does, she would be better off concentrating on a few things and getting better at those things.

Really ? Wahou, I really do understand why netizens worship Won Bin so much. He got looks AND the talent.
But seriously, I’m baffled more and more by the amount of bad actors.
I have never really watched Goo Hye-sun’s works but I thought she was kinda decent so hearing about how people said she got critized too. It’s a surprise O.O

swinter101

she is bad boys over flower got her popular but even then people still said she is bad. she over acts and sometimes its like she is reading the script out loud but.. i still find her OK in BOF

Jaclyn

She overacts pretty bad and don’t even mention BOF. That was horrendous. She’s lucky Hyun joong was there or I’d label her the crappiest actor in that drama.

ajj

Reading this article remind me of the drama special White Christmas and its cast. Sung Joon, Kim Woo Bin, Lee Soo Hyuk and Kim Young Kwang- all of them were models. I think they were picked because they’re tall but they nailed it because that drama was amazing. I guess Sung Joon is already considered an established actor way before he’s in ”Gu”. Anyway, Goo Hye Sun was so bad in BOF that I never want to see any of her dramas ever. If someone is bad at acting it doesnt matter if he’s an idol or a model, he’ll be bashed no matter what.Maybe it’s mostly harsher to idols because they are more well known. And Cha Seung Won also used to be a model and I dont know if he was bashed when he started but he’s a well respected actor now.

Daniel Henney doing fine in hi Hollywood debut drama. Maybe he need to do more Hollywood acting since he speak in English. Go Hye Sun is jack of all trade but unfortunately acting is what she not good and she was hype to fame coz of her multiple works. Not that she excel anyway. She got bad critics from knetz. I’m cringed watch her in Yes Captain. Then how about Lee Shi Young the actress that gain spot in the national boxing team. :)

And what about Rain? He’s done a lot of dramas, movies including a Hollywood movie, but he’s still true to his singing career? He models too, has his own fashion line. Plus he has his own company.
Seriously, how can people forget about Rain so freaking easily? Out of sight, out of mind? He was one of the first Hallyu stars and he paved the way for other idols to break into the acting scene. Now I’m not saying he’s the only one responsible for that, but he did play a very important role in the Hallyu Wave. Most people outside Korea know him better as an actor than a singer. Doesn’t that point to his success as all-round entertainer?

My point is, you mention Daniel Henney, who I absolutely love, and who has coincidentally even acted with Rain, yet you forget to even mention Rain.